Omaha philanthropist and business leader, Walter Scott Jr., and his late wife, Suzanne, were recently honored with the Margre and Chuck Durham Spirit of Nebraska Award at the Ambassador of Hope gala at the CenturyLink Center. The award is given to an individual or group who has significantly impacted the fight against cancer in Nebraska. The Scotts were honored for their support of cancer research at UNMC and their philanthropy in the Omaha community and beyond.
The Scotts were among the lead benefactors on the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center project. The 98-laboratory research tower, currently under construction, is named the Suzanne and Walter Scott Research Tower. In all, the cancer center’s construction will cost $323 million, the largest project ever at the University of Nebraska.
“The Scotts have been leaders in making Omaha the great city that it is,” said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “Their gift for the research tower is a perfect example of how they get behind projects that benefit the community.”
In 1990, the Scotts formed the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation to support projects and programs in five key areas: education, youth development, civic, human service and the arts. The Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation’s impact on philanthropy has been immeasurable, with more than $200 million in grants since its founding.